"No need to worry if you got nothing to hide. But plenty of people have got loads to hide. That's why there is no free speech . There (sic) hiding."

O'Sullivan, no stranger to controversy, admitted his latest remarks are likely to land him in hot water with snooker chiefs.

"They will prob fine me for talking about it.. They don't like you doing that.. Like to keep things under the carpet.." he added.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association will not confirm Lee's punishment until next Tuesday but chairman Jason Ferguson warned: "His future participation in the sport is now in real doubt as he will face a significant sanction."

Lee was suspended last October pending a hearing by Adam Lewis QC, which took place in Bristol last week.

Lewis ruled: "Stephen Lee is found guilty of agreeing an arrangement...[and of] ...accepting or receiving or offering to receive... payment or... other...benefit...in connection with influencing the outcome or conduct of each of the seven matches in breach of Rule 2.9."

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